DFA-OCA Donates Entertainment Showcase and Hygiene Kits to the Women at the Sanctuary Center, Mandaluyong City

(Photo taken after the short program at the Sanctuary Center, Photo courtesy of Ms. Ira Lizeth Rodillas of OCA)

MANILA, 30 October 2024 — In celebration of the Mental Health Awareness Month, the Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), successfully conducted the “Third OCA Bazaar,” which was held from 09 to 13 September 2024 at the DFA Aseana, Parañaque City. 

The Third OCA Bazaar aimed to provide promising small-scale merchants with more economic opportunities and showcase their proudly Filipino-made products. A total of twenty five (25) merchants participated in the Bazaar, fourteen (14) of which were provided by DTI and eleven (11) were from OCA. During the week-long event, consular applicants and DFA personnel enjoyed a variety of  local food and products. 

The participation fees collected from were used to buy the identified needs of the admitted women at the Sanctuary Center, Mandaluyong City.  A total of 200 hygiene kits, 6 wall fans, 43 inch Smart TV, and Platinum Jukebox Karaoke and Music Speaker were produced and prepared by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of OCA before the turnover. Each hygiene kit comprises a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, face towel, and a comb. 

The hygiene kits were turned over to the Sanctuary Center on 18 October 2024, led by Principal Assistant and Gender and Development Focal Point of OCA, Ms. Ana Angela C. Cabillan, and attended by personnel of the Office of the Assistant Secretary, members of Gender and Development Focal Point System of OCA, and representatives from Sanctuary Center. Selected personnel from OCA also offered song numbers to elderly present at the program.

OCA recognizes the importance of mental health and joins the call for a greater awareness and continuous support to all the mental health initiatives and advocates for the rights and well-being of those who are struggling. It hopes that through this donation drive it was able to provide not just its basic necessities but also joy, belonging, and companionship.

With the success and positive feedback from the first three bazaars, OCA plans to make the activity reoccurring in celebrations related to gender and development.  Proceeds from succeeding bazaars may be donated to new beneficiaries, particularly sectors that OCA caters to in the Courtesy Lane (i.e., pregnant women, senior citizens, persons with disability, among others), or used in other charitable activities as part of our engagement with the community and the marginalized sectors in the society. END

(Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the Third OCA Bazaar headed by OUMA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega (center). To his right, OCA Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito S. Cruz. To his left, DTI Assistant Secretary Grace F. Baluyan, photo courtesy of OCA-PITS)  

(Personnel of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of OCA preparing the hygiene kits, Photo courtesy of Ms. Ira Lizeth S. Rodillas  of OCA.) 

(Photo of the distributed Hygiene Kits and OCA personnel preparing the kits , Photo courtesy of OCA-PITS)

(Photo of Ms. Chelsea Nabing performing a song to the women at the Sanctuary Center, Photo courtesy of OCA-PITS)